Stranger's Handbook - Chapter 62
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Chapter 62

Chapter 62: A Messenger from the Neighboring Country

Thank you for coming, Zest. I see Bea is doing great too.

His Majesty said and laughed.

He came to visit us several times, and recently he started to act more like a relative who comes to play every once in a while.

Im a duke and Ill be getting married to his daughter in the future.

After all, it was in order to remain allies that I was forced to accepthis daughter, Princess Tsubaki, in marriage.

I cant trust him unconditionally, but I can rely on him.

However, the spirit drops are delicious, arent they?

..Isnt this the real reason behind your friendliness, your Majesty?

After we greeted each other and done some idle chat, it was time for the main topic.

Although we could talk about anything, there were certain limits to that too; Nobles are too troublesome and thats a fact.

To tell you the truth, we are expecting a messenger from Tarminal Kingdom, the neighboring country..And so I want you to be present to this meeting.

Tarminal Kingdom.

At first, the Frontier Count wanted to cause internal conflict in this country, but now it was different.

All the nobles of the empire were in agreement with this idea.

It seemed we couldnt remain at peace much longer..

I cant predict the matters to be brought in discussion, but it is certain that this country is dangerous..Well, we wont know anything until he gets here, but Ill have you there, just in case.

The Emperor had a grim expression on his face, as we both drank some black tea.

Just in case.In short, he was gathering the strongest battle powers as a counter-plan for a possible assassination.

Well, me being there would also mean that its in order not to let him get killed, but I still have to think about the worst it could happen and prepare.

After we finished talking about this matter, Princess Tsubaki and Empress Natasha joined us for an idle chat.

As usual, Princess Tsubaki was playing with Bea and Toto.

Beanee-sama, will you sleep together with me tonight?

(Tsubaki, youre so lonely.)

It seems Ill be free for the rest of the day. Shall I go drinking with Albert?

It shows on your face, the innocence of the newly-wed.

Oh my! Zest is beyond help.

You two, stop reading into me.

I dont regret anything, all right? I dont.

I left Bea and Toto behind and returned to my room. They prepared a room just for my use inside the imperial palace.

I just went to sleep.

And so, after 3 days, the messenger in question arrived.

The audience room.

It was my place as a duke and as his daughters fianc.

The messenger was a slender old man with red hair.

His magical power was concealedThat in itself was a statement that he was considerably strong..

I am the Emperor of the Grun Empire. You may speak.

With his face still covered, the messenger started his speech.

My name is Harnil and Im a Count of the Tarminal Kingdom. I must thank you, your Majesty, for giving this humble old man the chance of having an audience with you.

Good. Ill listen to your matter.

Yes. I was entrusted with a letter from my Tarminal Kingdom along with a vocal message.

He took out the letter from his chest pocket and carried it on both his palms.

Just for precaution, I approached him and took the letter.

It didnt contain any suspicious magic. I used my observation magic just in case, but everything seemed in order.

I handed over the letter to the Emperor, and he started reading it.

The Emperor wasnt his usual self.

Normally, he wouldnt let his feelings show on his face, but now he was clearly angry.

The nobles inside the audience room sensed that something wasnt right and their faces turned pale.

Before long, the Emperor put the letter aside and started to talk.

Are you people serious? Do you know about the letters contents?

Even if you ask me this, I have a vocal message to deliver to you.

The messenger didnt even quiver the slightest bit.

The letter is authentic. Starting today, our Tarminal Kingdom declares war againstthe Grun Empire.

He raised his head and, without changing his expression, he delivered the message.

In this case.

A message! An urgent message!

The gates were violently opened and a worn-out, wounded soldier tumbled into the audience room. His torn figure wasnt suitable for such a room like this.

What is this? You insolent fellow!

Guards! Take this guy away immediately!

These idiots..

These officials cant even judge the situation.

Silence! If its an urgent massage, he can ignore the etiquette. Report!

As I was releasing my entire magical power to pressure and control my surroundings, I already took out a sword from my item box.

They already proclaimed war, which means we must apply the war time rules.

Yes, your Majesty. The Tarminal Kingdoms Army is attacking the Frontier Counts domain! The battle has already begun at the Border Fortress.

After he finished his report, the soldier collapsed.

I knew this guy.He was part of the Frontier Counts Army.

How can this be?.The battle started at the same time with the war proclamation

Gather all the generals..

Silence!

With a single word, the Emperor made everyone fall silent.

There was no point whatsoever to panic like that.

Zest, what do you think?

Why me, your Majesty?.

It cant be helped. We dont have much time.

The messenger came to declare war againstus, in short, the battle has just started. The enemy armys force is unknown to us, thats true, but if we let them overtake the Frontier Counts domain and fight them afterwards its nothing but a foolish plan. If we lose our elites, all that awaits us is collapse. We must promptly send them reinforcements and gather information, while we create a second battle formation composed of our greatest military force, and drive them away completely.

He stood up at once.

As for the reinforcements, Ill take my own army and lead them towards the battlefield right away. I was thinking that maybe it would be best to gather the main armys forces at once and send word to other territorial armies to prepare for battle.

I understand. Ill do just that. Gather all the army commanders immediately and send messages to the nobles of the empire. The officials must arrange for the supply of materials and the Prime Minister is entrusted with.sending that messengers head back to his kingdom.

Everyone started to move with the Emperors words.

I rushed out of the audience room, found Albert and confirmed with him.

Albert, were at war. How many soldiers can we bring along?

Albert understood the situation in an instant.

There was no soldier inside the audience room who started to panic when everyone else did.

In total, 100 soldiers. But if we go back to our territory, we can take another 1000 soldiers.

Its good he understood the circumstances.

This time, it was a match against speed, so we had to take only the elites.

Send a message and tell everyone to start preparing. Well only take the most powerful. The rest are going to join the supply unit and line up the supply goods on the main road that goes to the Frontier Counts domain, so that well run through it at a breath.

Yes sir! Immediately.

It usually takes 3 days to get to my domain by carriage, but leaving that aside and counting only the time itd take to get to the imperial capital from the Frontier Counts domain, it would be about 8 days..

If we only take the strongest soldiers with us, we can reach the battlefield in half the requested time, even less.

If we get there in 5 days, itll be just in time..

In this case, we wouldnt lose that easily.

As quickly as possible, I must reach the battleground.

This was the only thing I was capable of thinking at that point.